Experiment No. 11: FLASH AND FIRE POINTS OF BITUMINOUS MATERIAL Experiment No.

Experiment No. 11: FLASH AND FIRE POINTS OF BITUMINOUS MATERIAL

   

INTRODUCTION
Bitumen materials leave out volatiles at high temperatures depending upon their grades. These
volatile vapours catch fire causing flash. This condition is very hazardous and it is therefore
essential to qualify the temperature for each bitumen grade so that the paving engineers may
restrict the mixing or application temperature well within the limit. The flash point is the lowest
temperature at which the vapours of substance momentarily takes fire in the term of a under
it is desired to determine the possible presence of small but significant concentrations of
lower flash points substances which may escape detection by T 48. T79, Flash Point with
Tag Open Cup Apparatus, may be employed if the flash point is below 79°C (1750F) as
determined by T 48.
APPLICATIONS OF FLASH AND FIRE POINT TEST

specified point test. When the bituminous materials are further heated to a higher temperature,
burning of material takes place. This is called fire point. Flash point is always less than fire
point of bitumen.
OBJECTIVE
Different bituminous materials have quite different values of flash and fire points. When the
bitumen or cutback is to be heated before mixing or application. Utmost care is taken to see that
heating is limited to a temperature well below the flash point this is essential from safety point
of view.

To determine the flash point and the fire point of bitumen. REFERENCE STANDARD

(AASHTO Designation: T 48-91; ASTM Designation: D 92-85)

SCOPE

This method describes a test procedure for determining the flash and fire points (Cleveland APPARATUS

Open Cup Tester) of all petroleum products except fuel oils and those having an open cup Cleveland Open Tester - The apparatus consists of the test cup, heating plate, test flame
0
flash below 175 F. The flash point is the temperature at which a bituminous material, during applicator, heater, and support as shown in Figure 11.1.
heating, will evolve vapours that will temporarily ignites or flash when a small flame is brought
Thermometer - ASTM thermometer having a range of 200F to 7600F (-6°C to + 400°C).
in contact with them. The fire point is the temperature at which the evolved vapours will
ignite and continue to burn.

To make the test, the material is heated in an open cup, and at intervals a small flame is
applied near its surface. The lowest temperature at which application of the test flame causes
the vapors to ignite is recorded as the flash point while the temperature at which the vapours
ignited and burn for at least 5 seconds is recorded as the fire point. The flash and fire point
test is purely a safety test. It indicates the maximum temperature to which the material can be
safely heated.

NOTE 1- It is the practice in the United Kingdom and in any other countries to use IP Method
35, Flash Point (Open) and Fire Points by Means of the Pensky-Martens Apparatus unless
T73. Test flash point by Pensky-Martens Closed Tester is specified. This Method may
occasionally be specified for the determination of the fire point of a fuel oil. For the
Figure 11.1: Cleveland Open Cup Tester
determination of Flash points of fuel oils, use AASHTO T 73 IP 34, T 73 should be used when

Dr. Md. Abu Sayeed, Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, RUET Page_Expt.11 (01) Dr. Md. Abu Sayeed, Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, RUET Page_Expt.11 (02)
 Experiment No. 11: FLASH AND FIRE POINTS OF BITUMINOUS MATERIAL Experiment No. 11: FLASH AND FIRE POINTS OF BITUMINOUS MATERIAL
   

PROCEDURE
Support the tester on a level steady table in a draft free room or compartment and shield
the spot of the tester from strong light by any suitable means.
Clean the cup with an appropriate solvent and remove all gums, carbon deposit, and oxide
coating from the inside of the cup with fine steel wool until a bright metallic surface is
Record as the flash point the temperature read on the thermometer when a flash appear at
any point on the surface of the sample but do not confuse the true flash with the bluish
halo that sometimes surrounds the test flame.
To determine the fire point, continue heating so that the sample temperature increases at
rate of 10 ± 1°F (5.5± 0.60C) per minute. Continue the application of the test flame at

presented. 50F (2.8°C) intervals until the vapor ignites and continues to burn for at least 5 sec.
Record the temperature at this point as the fire point.
Support the thermometer in a vertical position with the bottom of the bulb 1/4 inch (0.635
cm) from the bottom of the cup and above a point halfway between the center and back
CALCULATION AND RESULT REPORT
of the cup.
Note 2- The immersion line engraved on the thermometer will be 5/64 inch (0.20 cm) Observe and record the barometric pressure at the time of the test. When the pressure differs

below level of the rim of the cup when the thermometer is properly positioned. from 760 mm Hg, correct the flash or fire point, or both, by means of the following equations:

Fill the cup at any convenient temperature (Note 3) so that the top of the meniscus is
Corrected flash or fire point, or both = F + 0.06(760-P) or
exactly at the filling line. When too much sample has been added to the cup, remove the
Corrected flash or fire point, or both = C + 0.03(760-P)
excess, using a spoon or other suitable device; however, if there is sample on the outside
of the apparatus, empty, clean. Destroy any air bubbles appear on the surface of the Where:
sample. F = observed flash or fire point, or both, to the nearest 5°F
Note 3- Viscous samples should be heated until they are reasonably fluid before being
C = observed flash or fire point, or both, to the nearest 2°C.
poured in to the cup; however, the temperature during heating must not exceed 100°F
(65°C) below the probable flash point. P = barometric pressure, mm Hg.

Light the test flame and adjust it to a diameter of 1/8 to 3/16 in. (0.08 cm).
DISCUSSIONS AND CONCLUSIONS
Apply heat initially so that the rate of temperature rise of the sample is 25 to 300F (13.9
to 16.7°C) per minute. When the sample temperature is approximately 100°F (560C)
below the anticipated flash point, decrease the heat so that the rate of temperature rise for
the last 500F (27.8°C) before the flash point is 10 + 1°F (5.5 + 0.6°C) per minute.
Starting at least 50°F (2.8°C) mark pass the test flame across the center of the cup, at right
angles to the diameter which passes through the thermometer. With a smooth, continuous
motion apply the flame either in a straight line or along the circumference of a circle
having a radius of at least 6 inch (15 cm). The center of the test flame must move in a
plane not more than 5/6" inch (0.2 cm) above the plane of the upper edge of the cup. The
time consumed in passing the test flame across the cup shall be about 1 sec.

Dr. Md. Abu Sayeed, Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, RUET Page_Expt.11 (03) Dr. Md. Abu Sayeed, Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, RUET Page_Expt.11 (04)